A comparison of the effect of two types of brief psychodynamic group therapy on perfectionism-related attitudes, self-relatedness, and self-esteem.

Abstract<bold>Objective:</bold> This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of dynamic relational group therapy (DRT) relative to group psychodynamic supportive therapy (PST) in improving perfectionism-related attitudes and components of the perfectionistic self-relationship. <bold>Method:</bold> Based on a comprehensive conceptualization of perfectionism, 80 community-recruited, highly perfectionistic individuals were randomly allocated to 12 sessions of group DRT (<italic>n </italic>= 41; 5 groups) or group PST (<italic>n</italic> = 39; 5 groups). Patients completed measures of dysfunctional attitudes, self-criticism, self-esteem, and self-reassurance at pre-, mid-, and post-treatment, and six months post-treatment. <bold>Results:</bold> Multigroup latent growth curve modeling revealed significant (<italic>p</italic> < .05) decreases in dysfunctional attitudes, concern over mistakes, two types of self-criticism, and self-esteem problems, along with a significant increase in self-reassurance, from pre-treatment to six-month follow-up in both DRT and PST. Moderate-to-large between-group differences favoring DRT over PST were found for dysfunctional attitudes and self-reassurance. A majority of patients in both conditions maintained reliable improvement at six-month follow-up in dysfunctional attitudes, concern over mistakes, and self-criticism focused on inadequacy. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Findings provide evidence for the use of psychodynamic group therapy approaches in treating perfectionism-related attitudes and self-relational elements of perfectionism, and support the relative efficacy of DRT for dysfunctional attitudes and self-reassurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]